Lucknow: Rishabh Pant’s underwhelming run as captain of Lucknow Super Giants has come under scrutiny once again, with former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji raising concerns about his batting position and consistency in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 season.

Pant, who was bought for a record Rs 27 crore at the IPL 2024 auction — making him the most expensive player in the league’s history — has struggled to justify his price tag across two seasons with LSG. After finishing seventh in IPL 2025, the franchise is set for another disappointing campaign this year, likely ending in the bottom two of the points table.

Inconsistent batting position hurting performance

Balaji pointed out that one of the primary reasons behind Pant’s dip in form is the lack of a fixed batting position. According to the former pacer, the constant shuffling in the batting order has prevented the left-hander from settling into a rhythm.

“He is having tough seasons again and again as a captain. His position remains unsettled within the team. Sometimes he opens, other times he bats at No. 3, and then he bats in the middle order,” Balaji said during a discussion on Star Sports Tamil.

Pant’s numbers reflect his struggles. He scored 269 runs in IPL 2025 and has managed 286 runs in 13 matches this season — figures that fall short of expectations for a player of his calibre and price. More importantly, his strike rate and impact in crucial moments have been inconsistent.

Balaji emphasised that Pant is most effective when batting in the middle order, a role where he has previously excelled for India in international cricket. “He’s a quality left-hander, and he must play in the middle order. He’s much better suited there, and even for India, he has been effective only in the middle order,” he added.

Suggested role after 14 overs

The former India pacer went a step further, suggesting a specific role for Pant in the batting lineup — entering the crease after the 14th over. According to Balaji, this would allow Pant to maximise his unconventional strokeplay without the pressure of building an innings from the top.

“Strike rate has been a challenge for him in the top order. When you bat up the order, you have to take risks to achieve a good strike rate, and that’s where his shortcomings have shown,” Balaji explained.

“He should come in only after 14 overs. Till 14 overs, they have a good batting lineup to address that period. After 14 overs, he can unleash all his unorthodox shots.”

This strategy, Balaji believes, would allow Pant to play with freedom and take advantage of the death overs, where his ability to improvise shots could prove more effective.

Leadership pressure and team performance

Pant’s struggles are not limited to his batting alone. As captain, he has faced increasing pressure due to LSG’s back-to-back disappointing seasons. Leadership responsibilities, coupled with inconsistent personal form, appear to have impacted his overall performance.

The franchise has failed to establish stability in both team composition and strategy, which has further complicated Pant’s role. Frequent changes in batting order and team combinations have not helped the side’s cause.

Despite being one of the most talented wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket, Pant has not been able to replicate his past success in the IPL in recent seasons. His inability to deliver match-winning performances consistently has been a major concern for the team management.

Need for clarity and defined role

Cricket experts believe that a clearly defined role could help Pant regain his form and confidence. The lack of clarity regarding his batting position has been a recurring issue, and addressing it could be key to unlocking his potential.

LSG, as a franchise, will also need to reassess their strategy moving forward. Investing heavily in a player like Pant requires a structured approach to maximise returns, both in terms of performance and leadership.

With the IPL becoming increasingly competitive, teams can ill afford prolonged inconsistency from key players. Pant’s case highlights the importance of role clarity and stability in achieving success at the highest level.

Conclusion

As Lucknow Super Giants prepare to wrap up another disappointing season, the spotlight remains firmly on Rishabh Pant. While his talent is unquestionable, the need for a defined batting role and improved consistency has never been more urgent.

Balaji’s suggestions offer a potential pathway for revival, but it will ultimately depend on how Pant and the team management respond. With expectations high and scrutiny mounting, the coming seasons could prove decisive in shaping Pant’s future as both a batter and a leader in the Indian Premier League.